Expert: Steve Summers - 8/1/2011

Question
Hi Steve,

I am planning to bring my 10 yrs old son to Disneyland next June. Would like to ask which hotel is the closest to Disneyland with reasonable price and standard?

Much appreciated for your help

Answer
Hi Angie,

I'm guessing that you have been looking at the hotels that are in the Disneyland Resort, and finding out that they are quite expensive. Without a doubt, you pay much more to stay on the Disney property.

However, I have found that some hotels, just outside the Disneyland Resort Property, are actually closer to the front entrance to Disneyland than the Disney hotels, and are much less expensive. My two favorites are the Howard Johnson Anaheim and the Candy Cane Inn. Of these, the HoJo is the best. The HoJo is right across the street from the resort property, an easy and short walk to the entrance. You can see the Monorail and Matterhorn rides from the HoJo, and have an excellent view of the fireworks at night. However, the best thing about the HoJo is the new, themed pool that they recently built. Check out http://www.hojoanaheim.com for more information and pictures. But it's a very fun pool area where your son can play when he's not enjoying Disneyland.

The Candy Cane Inn is also very nice, but a bit smaller, just a little further away, and a bit quieter.

And the Menage, which was recently renovated, is just a bit north of the HoJo. You are literally right UNDER the fireworks at night, so if you don't stay in the park to hear the music that goes with the fireworks, you can see the fireworks from the Menage. In fact, the pool of the Menage is a great viewing location. However, that means you won't be getting to sleep before 9:45 each night, since the fireworks are VERY loud. In fact, I can hear them from my home, 8 miles away.

Any of these hotels should be quite satisfactory. They are all close enough so that you can even walk back to the hotel for an afternoon rest or a swim, then return to the parks for more fun.

Have fun!